Seasonal News & Tips

Check back often for seasonal tips about what's going on in our area, updates on local pest and disease outbreaks, weather impacts, and more.

Nov 18 2020

How to Tell if a Branch is Dead or Alive

It’s not always easy to tell whether a branch or twig is dead or just dormant, especially in winter or early spring before leaves emerge. Even during the growing season, a branch can appear to be dead but is actually still living. But there are some “signs of life” you can look for to see…

Oct 22 2020

My Conifers Are Losing Needles! Should I Be Concerned?

Learn what’s normal when it comes to evergreen conifers losing needles, why it happens, and when to be concerned about dropped needles.

Sep 24 2020

Why Do Tree Leaves Change Color in Fall?

Learn why and how leaves on deciduous trees change color and then drop to the ground in fall (hint: it's caused by pigments).

Chlorosis shows up as dark green veins on lighter green leaves on this dogwood tree in Ohio

Aug 19 2020

Chlorosis in Trees & Shrubs: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

If your tree's leaves turn yellow while the veins stay green, it's probably chlorosis. Learn what causes it, how to distinguish chlorosis from other leaf problems, ways to prevent it, and how to treat the symptoms.

tar spot fungus on sycamore maple leaves - green leaves with dark spots looking up into the tree

Jul 16 2020

Maple Tar Spot: Identification, Prevention & Treatment

If the leaves on your maple trees have dark, round spots that look like they’ve been splashed with tar, it’s probably a fungal disease called maple tar spot. Learn what to look for, how it spreads, and what to do about it.

Jun 24 2020

Ticks in Northeast Ohio: How to Avoid Being Bitten by a Disease-Carrying Tick

The incidence of tickborne diseases is rising across northeast Ohio. Learn how to spot and remove a tick, when and where they're active, the diseases they carry, how to protect yourself, and tick control options to keep them off your property.

May 27 2020

Is Your Soil Healthy? How to Tell & Why it Matters

Soil health has a huge impact on plant health and appearance. Keep your trees healthy by learning what soil is, how to identify healthy soil, ways to improve poor soil (most urban & suburban soil falls in this category), fertilizer use, and more.

Close up of red flowers on a branch of flowering quince, a type of shrub that can be rejuvenation pruned every few years

Apr 15 2020

Rejuvenation Pruning of Shrubs: Answers to All Your Questions

What is rejuvenation pruning? We cover what it is; why, when, and how to do it; frequency; which shrubs benefit (and which will die!); caring for the shrub afterwards; and more.

Construction equipment, the frame of a new building, and piles of dirt near a grove of trees

Mar 23 2020

How to Protect Trees During Construction

Proper tree protection during a construction project can save you thousands of dollars in tree repair, removal & health care after the project is finished.

Mar 20 2020

Independent Tree’s Extra Precautions in Response to COVID-19

We are still open for business! ... and doing our part to flatten the curve. To ensure that everyone stays safe, we have implemented several new procedures to minimize direct contact.

What's Next?

Things are constantly changing in Northeast Ohio - weather, pests, and tree diseases all affect your landscape. Stay on top of what's going on so you can keep your trees and yard safe, healthy and beautiful.

Call us at 440-564-1374